Martin Jol: Fulham boss saw his side overcome Everton in the Capital One Cup

The Cottagers progressed to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup after they came from behind to defeat Everton 2-1 at Craven Cottage.

Fulham have based their success in recent years on a good home record, but they had lost five and drawn one of their previous six games at their west London home before Tuesday's clash.

And just 10 days after some fans called for Jol's head, the Fulham manager was left to reflect on an impressive win thanks to second-half goals from Dimitar Berbatov and substitute Darren Bent.

"It's a big relief," Jol said. "It was a long time ago since our last win against Sunderland, and today we wanted to get back to winning ways.

"It has not been easy, but in the second half with Berbatov and Bent there was enough goals and if there is enough goals we can win."

Talented

Everton looked set to stroll to victory after dominating a first half in which Gerard Deulofeu, Romelu Lukaku and Steven Naismith all starred.

Naismith put the Toffees ahead when he slotted the ball between David Stockdale's legs, but Everton could not beat the Fulham keeper again despite launching attack after attack on the home goal.

Fulham fans, who had seen their team go without a win in normal time since the opening day of the season, booed their team off at the break, fearing yet another defeat.

Bent, who has been troubled by injury since scoring on debut against Arsenal last month, also received praise from Jol after scoring the winner within three minutes of his introduction after Dimitar Berbatov had drawn Fulham level.

The 29-year-old lost his marker and picked up a pass from Patjim Kasami before rifling the ball past Joel Robles from a tight angle.

"Bent's goal just came out of nothing," Jol added. "He is a talented player, and hopefully we can integrate him now."

Meanwhile, Everton manager Roberto Martinez was mystified as to how his team did not kill the match off when they dominated the first half.

"We had two or three great opportunities, but couldn't take advantage so that's a disappointment," he said.

"We lacked a bit of composure in the final third and that cost us."

Martinez will take consolation from the performance of Barcelona loanee Deulofeu, who was "a real threat" to Fulham's defence all night with his skill and pace.

"His play deserved more goals in the first half, and that would have been the difference," the Spaniard added.

Readers' Comments

till I suppose it still gives him at least another year in the job. By the time it comes around , he can always make up another excuse. First it was 3 months , then a year .....Next year ? Whats his excuse with Van Persie ?